Monday, February 11, 2013

National Almond Day

Happy National Almond Day! Active people are always asking me about healthy snacking options and with February 16 as National Almond Day it is the perfect time to talk about the benefits of one of my favorite foods. I am proud to be teaming up with the Almond Board of California to host a giveaway celebrating the healthfulness of almonds to one of my readers.

Just post a comment on the ways you enjoy almonds and a winner will be selected to receive an almond cookbook and almonds in several forms for snacking or making heart healthy almond appetizers, entrees, salads and desserts.

I've had the good fortune to visit almond orchards during the harvest and you can see from my photo that not only do almonds look heart healthy, they are! The American Heart Association recommends eating nuts, legumes and seeds at least four times a week as part of a heart healthy diet. Almonds pack a nutrition punch with nutrients that are good for your heart. One serving (1 ounce or about 23 whole almonds) contains 35% of the antioxidant vitamin E and that is more than any other tree nut. Almonds are also a rich source of fiber and monounsaturated fats; all recommended for reducing your risk of heart disease.

For active people, almonds have other great benefits. One serving contains 6 grams of protein and 75 milligrams of calcium to support muscle and bone health. Many of you are exercising to lose or maintain your weight but don't fear the calories in almonds. Research from the USDA shows that almonds contain about 20% fewer calories than what is stated on the label. So, your 100-calorie snack pack of almonds only provides 80 calories. When we eat nuts, especially hard nuts like almonds, the cell walls are not completely broken down and the fat contained inside the cells does not get absorbed so you get fewer calories but will all the great taste and nutrition.

If you are looking for satisfying snack that is:
  • a good source of protein
  • rich in vitamin E
  • high in fiver
  • calcium-rich
  • gluten-free
  • tasty
  • crunchy
  • and, delicious, almonds check all the boxes.
For more information and great recipes visit the Almond Board of California at www.almondboard.com. Tell me your favorite way to snack on almonds before February 16 to be eligible for a cool giveaway. (Disclaimer: I was not paid to write this post but the Almond Board sent me the almond bundle to enjoy and that you can also enjoy!)

9 comments:

  1. love them right out the bag/box
    in salads
    thansk
    aunteegem@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love them in salads and I love almond milk :)

    jfong1130 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. Almond butter and almond milk! Can't get enough :)

    jordan.dunne21 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Almonds in a chocolate is my favorite so I think I will have to stick and love eating it to my entire life. I love almonds since it is rich in zinc which is good for a person like me having zinc deficiency symptoms and I think most of us really do need it too.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Awesome giveaway!! I use almond butter in my smoothies daily and often have an apple and a handful of almonds for a snack. I also love sliced almonds in salads and oatmeal
    Ttrockwood@yahoo.com
    Ttrockwood

    ReplyDelete
  6. Almonds are great, especially for people into fitness or athletes! Having a quarter cup or so of almonds 30 min to 1 hour before almost any type of training will provide sustained energy along with avoiding any gastric issues (bloating, fullness, etc.) that could interfere with an intense training program. Just be sure not to snack on them too much, since calories from these nuts can add up very quickly!

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  7. plain, raw almonds for me

    katherinedibello (at) gmail (Dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  8. Just post a comment on the ways you enjoy almonds and a winner will be selected to receive an almond cookbook and almonds in several forms for snacking or making heart healthy almond appetizers, entrees, salads and desserts.
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